The Cumberland County Commission voted unanimously on a resolution motioned by 4th District Commissioner David Gibson and 2nd District Commissioner Hyder on Monday to officially support Sheriff Casey Cox in an upcoming lawsuit set to go to court on September 10, 2024.

The lawsuit was filed by Cedric Jordan Grooms is against Sheriff Cox, Captain Tim Clafflin, Administrative Sergeant John Griffith, nurse Casey Honeycutt, Lieutenant Mike Hassler, Deputy Laurie Turner, and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department.

Cumberland County Attorney Phillip Burnett said the case is being defended by Robin Williams, an attorney from Nashville.

“It’s a lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Department, and it’s filed in federal district court. It was an inmate who is alleging that he was fed improper food based off his religious preferences. Rastafarian is what he’s claiming.”

While in the custody of the Cumberland County Jail in 2022-2023, Grooms alleges that he was fed pork products as well as pineapple which he is allergic to. He also filed complaints against Nurse Casey Honeycutt specifically on the grounds of racial bias and says she told him that, “due to his ‘Blackness’ he was just having ‘normal’ blood pressure problems passed down by his ancestors”.

In the official document, Grooms believes he entered jail in “perfect health” and said he exercised regularly and never had any blood pressure “scares” before his incarceration. He claims Deputy Turner told him his ‘religious’ diet wouldn’t change his meals since the kitchen and jail hadn’t served any pork ‘in a long time.’

Grooms was also indicted earlier this year on January 8th, 2024 by the Cumberland County Grand Jury for Possession of a Schedule II drug (meth), driving on a suspended license, and introduction of contraband into a penal institution.

Rastafarianism is an Abrahamic faith (meaning Christian, Judaic, or Muslim) developed in Jamaica during the 1930s and centers on beliefs based on a specific interpretation of the Christian Bible. Rastas seek to produce food via natural means such as organically and locally sourced food. Most Rastas follow dietary laws outlined in Leviticus and avoid eating pork or shellfish.